Chef Mikes Luscious Pound Cake Food

PERFECT POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325˚ and thoroughly grease a bundt pan with cooking spray.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter and cream until fluffy. Add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing after each addition. Add the butter flavoring and lemon extract and mix well.
• Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. With the mixer on low, add the soft drink, then mix together gently until combined. Scrape sides of bowl, then mix briefly.
• Pour into the greased Bundt pan and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until the cake is no longer jiggly.
• Remove cake from oven and invert pan until cake drops out. Slice and chow down!

POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Coat a 10-inch aluminum tube pan or 2 (9 by 5-inch) loaf pans with 1 tablespoon of butter and dust with 2 tablespoons of the flour.
• Cream together the remaining 16 ounces of butter and the sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer for 5 minutes on medium speed, using the paddle attachment. Stop once to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. With the mixer running at the lowest speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Again, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl. This will take approximately 3 minutes and the mixture may look curdled. Add the vanilla and salt and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds.
• With the mixer on the lowest speed, add the flour in 3 installments, making sure each portion is fully incorporated before adding the next. After the final addition, scrape down the sides of the bowl and then beat for 30 seconds on medium speed until almost smooth.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared pan(s), dividing evenly if using 2 pans. Bake for 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 210 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. The crust will be golden brown and will spring back when pressed, but the crack around the center will appear moist.
• Remove the cake from the oven to a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan(s) and cool on the rack. Store the cake on the rack covered with a tea towel for up to 3 days.

POLENTA POUND CAKE WITH PEACH TOPPING AND MASCARPONE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking over indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Spray the bottom of a loaf pan with the cooking spray; line with parchment paper, then spray with cooking spray one more time. Set aside.
• Whisk together the flour, polenta, baking powder and salt. Set aside. To a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the butter and granulated sugar. Cream until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs and egg yolk and beat again to fully incorporate. Add the ricotta, Greek yogurt, vanilla and orange zest and beat again to combine, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the dry ingredients and mix by hand to incorporate. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, then place on the indirect-heat side of the grill, close the lid of the grill and bake until set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 minutes to an hour. Remove from the grill and let cool completely.
• For the peach topping: Meanwhile, add the marmalade, orange juice and peaches to a pot, place over indirect heat and bring to a gentle simmer for the flavors to meld together, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Make the mascarpone whipped cream: Beat the heavy cream and confectioners' sugar with a blender until whipped cream forms. Fold in the mascarpone and vanilla.
• Remove the cake from the pan, then slice and serve with the peach topping and mascarpone whipped cream spooned over the top.

LUSCIOUS LEMON POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10 cup bundt pan.
• In a large bowl, mix sugar, butter and cream cheese until very light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, lemon peel and vanilla; mix well.
• Add all remaining cake ingredients; mix well. Spoon into prepared pan.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; invert onto serving plate.
• Glaze: In small bowl, mix sugar and butter. Gradually add lemon juice until desired consistency; mix until smooth. Stir in lemon peel; drizzle over warm cake. Garnish with lemon slices or lemon peel if desired.